Disposable surgical mask



Feb. 23, 1965 H. G WATTS, DISPOSABLE SURGICAL MASK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 18, 1961 FIG. 4

FIG. 3

INVENTOR. HILLARY G. WATTS,JR.

MMa/M ATTORNEY Feb. 23, 1965 H. s. WATTS, JR

DISPOSABLE SURGICAL MASK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 18. 1961 u i .L

FIG. 6

INVENTOR. HILLARY G. WATTS, JR.

ATTORNEY A used mask.

A More' speifijcally the -new surgicalrnas v tiori comprises a filteringand cleaning portion, preferably.

jmfidl Patented Feb. 23, 1965 filice 3,170,461 DHSPGSABLE SURGICAL MASK Hillary G. Watts, in, 4M2 W. 18th St., Wichita, Kans- Fiied Sept. 18, 1961, Set. No. 138,767

5 Qlaims. (Cl. 128146) This invention relates to protection against contamination. More specifically, this invention relates to protection of people against contaminants present in the air,

such as bacteria and thelike. Still more specifically, this invention relates to an improved surgical mask, for use in two way protection of patients and doctors, nurses, den- Various types and designs of surgical masks are known to the prior art. The principal disadvantage of these masks is that they do not perform eifectively the function of cleaning the ,exhaledand inhaled air, this havingbeen shown by clinical tests. Attempts to increase the effectiveness of the masks have not been particularly successful and they have caused additional problems." For exam ple, the problem of. contamination Was attempted to be solved by increasing the' amount of filtering material included in the mask. This, however, caused increas'ed air.

flow around the sides of the mask, which air is not filtered at all. This was attempted to be solvedbyvarious means of holding the mask tight against the surface of the face.

.- This resulted in shortnessof breath, impairment of circulation to the head, and other objectionable symptoms.

- the disadvantages and; difficulties of the'surgical masks of through the mask, and instead directs the air in and out the sides of the mask and through the cellulose in filtering relation, increasing the contact time betweenthe air and the cellulose. Binding tapes or the like are provided to secure the mask to the head of the wearer. The mask is desirably worn with the impervious layer away from the face. Because of the improved structure and mask materials of the new surgical mask of my invention, it is not necessary for the mask to fit tightly, and a prime source of discomfort to a wearer is thus eliminated. Also, the soft, fluffy and flexible nature of the materials used in the mask adds to the masks comfort and effectiveness. Not least among the advantages of my new surgical mask is that the materials of which it is made can all be obtained cheaply,

thus encouraging the discarding'of a mask after oneus e.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new contamination prevention means.

Thecommon and usual surgioalmask of layers of cloth fabric in a very short time becomes moist and saturated with moisture losing its efiectivenessientirely. Froml to 45 minutes .is considered along forthe commonly My invention solvesthese problems of the masks of "prior art by new structure of mask utilizing madam-1 'te'rials not"comrnonly1used for-,such purposes, na melyf i I preferably special cellulosefm'aterials, to filter the air,.in place of the .usual surgical gauze, firmly wovenfabric or the like material'adapted'to have-a filtering efiectff One a reason for the increase zd effectiveness .of the preferred f I cellulose'materiahis that it not only mechanicallyjfil'ters v j the air, but it alsoiabsol bs the water contained-Qtherein' without losing eifectiveness, and-.at'jthe same time,'o f 1 course, retains any *su'spnded bacteria.- Clini'gal tests I comparingprior art masks and the masks of invention have beenlmade, such-tests including bacteriacounts, and

,my newj'rnask has been found to be unexpectedly: more;

f my invertj J the new surgical mask of my invention, and it is to be understood that such drawings are not'to unduly limit the o s -s in FIG. 1. t t FIG. -4 is an isometric view of apersonwearing this composed" of looselyfcompacted cellulose material .whicli is desirably reinforced with spaced threads, and shaped so as to encourage inhaled andexhale'd.aiito pass geneially 'along'and longitudinally through thecellujlosemassrather than directlyor transversely through the mask, increasing? the filtering, absorbing and cleaning action ofthe cellulose, this being done preferablyb'ypleating. Ihiscellulose material is v preferablyjin the "form of loosely piled layers "'of"non-wovenimateriall=- From 51 .to 15 layers have been I i founddesirable and ;eifective ;"Howevenfanysuitable number of layers-can be used." The high absorbency of the thread-{reinforced cellulose material increases'the'life of the mask This portion is of such 'a-sizeas to easily cover the nose and mouth of the wearer, with the pleating aiding'iin this. A sheetjo'r layer which is impervious to air and moisture is also preferably provided on the outer side of the mask, and this tends to eliminate direct air flow the line 7.-.7.

88, and showing the nose'piece. o

Following is adiscussion and description of new sure I gical mask structures of invention made with "refer ence to the drawings whereinthe' same reference nu close contact between such personnel and patient is necessary. I i

It'is yet another object of this invention to overcome "the prior art.

Other objects andadvantages of the new mask of my invention will be obvious and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure.

Drawings accompany and are apart of this disclosure. Thesedrawings depict preferred specific embodiments of scope of my invention. 1 I In the drawings,

J FIG.-1is-a front view of one preferred specific embodi' ment-of the new surgicaljmask structure of my invention,

showing a mask with a. vapor barrier stitched onalltour sides; and a reinforced cellulose materiallayer on the flback only. 1 I i FIG. 2 is a View of the back or the mask of FIG. 1, with I "theyarious layers of cellulose material comprising the,

' .mask b'odyshownpartially cut-away.

FIG. "3' is a cross-sectional viewjtaken along'the li'ne newsurgiea'lmask of my invention.

'= FIG. 5 is a fron'tview, 'of another preferred specific embodimen'tof the new surgical mask structure of my ir'rveritionfshowi'ng'a' mask; with a'vapor barrier 'loo'se saws; sides, and a reinforced cellulose" material l eron both sides, and partially cut away to show the various layers of cellulose material comprisingthe mask body; v

FIG. 6 is a back view of the mask of BIG. 5' and-showing a metal no'se piece-in place for use.

- FIG. Tisa'cross-Isectiorial viewtliroughFIG. 5 along FIG. 8}is a section viewithrough FIG along line merals-are fused to indicate-the'same or similar parts and/or structure. The discussion and description'are of preferred speclfic embodiments of the new surgical mask structure of my invention,-and it is to be understood of they sheet cellulose material employed, from 7 to 10 haying been found satisfactory. 'They are preferably of".

relatively loosely composed cellulose material. The innermost celluloselayer 20 is preferablyreinforced with threads in mesh configuration sewnfltherethrough and thereon. On the outer surface, and attached thereto in any. suitable .manner is anon-porous sheet 22 of imper- 'vious' material preferably polyethylene film. 'Sheet 22- can be attachedinany suitable manner such as by sewing or cementing it to the mask body It And, if desired 7 barrier 22 can be provided by coating the outer cellulose prefera bly centrally, for; example by spraying with a plas tic material, lacquer, etc.

of themask strips of cloth tapes 24 and 26 are preferably mounted; These bind the mask and the extensionsthereing at'each end'portion of the mask.

Over the top and bottom edges ,20 layer with asuitable material to make it imperviou'sj FIGS. 5 through 8 depict another preferred specific embodiment of the new surgical"maskstructure; ofmy invention. In thisiembodirnent, cellulose pad or mask body 40' has a number-of loosely piled non-Woven ab-- sorbent layers 41, 42 and 44. Here' again any suitablev fnumberof layers canbe employed to form body. 40, a I

from 7 to 10 being preferred. Preferably, onthe front side of this pad 40 is a layer'ddof lo'ose cellulose mate-'' i rial reinforcedjwith threads in mesh configuration there-I.

On the backside isa similar layer 3 i through'and thereon.

48, preferably. -,AttachedtO llltif middlegportionvof the front? side atiits 'top and bottomendsonly is a non-porous impervious sheet:5ligpreferablyaofjpolyethylene :film or the like.

Sheet 50 preferably has the same width aspad 1 4%), but has a shorter length either thanpad/ilior-its own, i width; Thisrserves to :prevent flow of air, directly 'outi ward from the moiuthfl The multiple cellulose'niaterial-r layer. portions of maskbody 40 are preferably gbent to {1 7; form two parallel pleats 52 and 54. Along the'top antlf' bottom'sidesofthis maskr'un two fabric tapes sdan'd 58;" I

' the-extensions of v whichf seri e as ,mounting jtie's. e- The -;I 1 H lengths (of tapes 56andl58are preferably five times :the I le'n'gth ofa pad-430.1 Holding'fihe mask together oneajchf of its fo ur side'sis Ystitchi'ng; 6%). -Other' suitable I means i such as a cement. canbe.used,if desire'di. Nose pieceol v preferably made of a bendablej-metal'st'rip and ihsertable to prevent fogging of glass up ardlychanges and;

' iat s1it*64;.-;is located between and held.in ;place"':by .the w ctape and the cellulosemateriahand serves; ini us'e. q-toshape thernask aroundrthenose'of the wearerghelping f from moist breath escaping hmnS'SlI'aight w tholitjlosing its; protection-effectiveness. r

Embodir'nents utilizing-"the icemented barriertfZZrlhave provenparticula'rly advantageous since-such has no "hinj 'drance to "aififiowthrough the cellulose material; The

.r-mask rcinforced layer oficellulose material resulting from: T the sewing has been? found towork to-prevent'packing'of .the desirably loose layers" of cellulose material and to prevent'tearin'g, sinceiit adds-great strength. to themask I 7 structure.- j

out the test."

'of the drawings and described hereinbefore. Test series #1 hereinbelow was performed with the surgical mask having the polyethylene-barrier layer open at two sides and adjacent to a layer of reinforced cellulose. Test #2 was performed with the surgical mask havingthe polyethylene layer which has cemented edgesand Which'is adiacent to a layer of non-reinforced cellulose. The tests were performed as follows? Open auger plates were held approximately one inch from the mask, whichfwas worn by theh'uman.testsubject. Unlessdesignated otherwise, at the time of the'test, breathing was laborious to simulate operating conditions. j The mask Was wornthrough- Time Interval, Hours Area of Mask- Results From Beginning Tested No growth obtained. 7 One colony? .do .Nogrowtlr obtained. B. side. Do. 1 Lllsideq; Do.

Center. Do. 7 v V "Rside D0. V 1 Lsid e Onecolony. Center No growth obtained. 7

si I V Doi L" side. j Do.

; TEST #2 5 Center- Nogrowth obtained. 0 o One colony. V e r 5 ..do {No growth obtained. 1 5 R side One coloriy.., .5 L side--- No grcwthobtaineda .5 Center Onecolony. .5 RFside Do.v

a L side Do; V .5 I No. growth obtained. .5 "200., 5 I Do." 0 One colony 0 N 0 growth obtained. 0' 1 Dog} 0 I Do. 1

0 Que colony. 0v No growth-obtained.- 0. --D0. 1 O 0 the new mask Central tests lar flexible "porous. absorbent pad'lofsiz'e -gto" cover the .riose-andimouth of jz'thumari being;saidjpaclbeingmade of from '7 to it) loosely piled; layers of-non woven ab 'sorbentc ellulose matepialgtwo cellulose material layers" 7 p iedges to s'aid pad,

I oneon'eachsidepf saidipadiandrein reed threads Dad-53nd f'sajid} layers having 7 congruent; with andstitehed on .re

two 'spaced and parallel pleatstherein which divide said padinto threesubstantiallyequalportionsjeac"parallel i- .to the long side ofjsaid rectangular pad, a non-porous '5 and impervious.polyethylene r'ihn on .the outside ofisaid .mask having thefsameIwidthas; said pad-but'havinga shorter lengtheither than said padpr its. own-width;

H madewith;theicommonandusnal sur- 3 gical gauzemasks jresultedin'rnore than ,SOQ'grmvths. i

-Aswill'be obvious to those skilled in the,a rt;..various.'

' "odifications of the preferredisurgicalmask; 7 structures, disc osedherein e a bennade oerou wed with- V out {departing from the spirit'of thef disclosure .the scope of the claims. I a i from i 1; disposable surgical::m'ask. comprising. alrectang anna centrally positioned so as to cover all except the two end portions of said pad and stitched on its two short or length sides to the middle portions of the long or length sides of said pad, two flexible binding tapes folded lengthwise over the long sides of said pad and stitched thereto, each of said tapes being approximately five times the length of said pad,and a flexible metal nose piece, inserted through a slit in the top one of said tapes on the back side, and held and located between said tape and said pad, said mask being used by tying each of said tapes around the head of the wearer, such that said nonporous layer is on the side away from the face, said porous pad and cellulose layers absorbing water and contaminants from the air as it passes along said pad and layers, said non-porous sheet serving to cause said passing air to travel further through said porous material, said nose piece being bent in the shape of the contour of the nose of the wearer and serving to prevent air from escaping upward and fogging the wearers glasses, and said mask being disposable after use.

2. A disposable surgical mask comprising, an elongated rectangular flexible porous absorbent pad of size to cover the nose and mouth 'of a human being, said pad being made of from 7 to 10 loosely piled layers of non-woven absorbent material cellulose product, an inside cellulose material layer congruent with and stitched on four edges to said pad and reinforced with threads in mesh configuration, a non-porous and impervious polyethylene film on the outside of said mask having the same width as said pad but having a shorter length either than said pad or its own width, positioned so as to cover all except the two end portions of said pad, stitched on four sides to said pad, said layers having two large spaced and parallel pleats therein which form the central portion into a channel parallel to the long sides of said elongated pad, and two flexible binding tapes folded lengthwise over the long sides of said pad and stitched thereto, each of said tapes being approximately five times the length of said pad, said mask being used by tying each end of said tapes around the head of the wearer such that the said non-porous layer is on the side away from the face, said porous pad and cellulose layer absorbing water and contaminants from the air as it passes along said pad and layers, said non-porous sheet servtng to cause said passing air to travel further through said porous material, and said mask being disposable after use.

3. A disposable mask comprising, a flexible porous absorbent pad of size to cover the nose and mouth of a human being, said pad being made of loosely piled layers of non-woven absorbent cellulose material, and inside cellulose material layer congruent with and fastened to said paid and reinforced with threads, a non-porous and impervious film on the outside of said mask, positioned so as to cover all except the two end portions of said pad,

and fastened on four sides to said pad, said layers having spaced and parallel longitudinally extending pleats therein, stitching at the end portions of said pad maintaining said pleats, and flexible binding tapes fastened to the edges of said pad, said tapes being of such length as can be tied around a head, said mask being used by tying each of said tapes around the head of the wearer such that said non-porous layer is on the side away from the face, and said porous pad and cellulose layers absorbing water and contaminants from the air as it passes along said pad and layers.

4. A disposable surgical mask comprising, a flexible porous absorbent pad of size to cover the nose and mouth of a human being, said pad being made of from 5 to 15 layers of cellulose absorbent material, said pad being reinforced with threads, longitudinally extending parallel pleats in said pad, stitching adjacent the end portions of said pad maintaining said pleats, a non-porous and impervious material attached to said pad and positioned so as to overlie all except the end portions of said pad, and flexible binding tapes attached to said pad, said tapes being of length such that said tapes can be tied around a head, said mask being used by tying said tapes around a I head, such that said non-porous layer is on the side away from the face, said porous pad and cellulose layers absorbing water and contaminants from the air as it passes along said pad and layers, said non-porous sheet serving to cause said passing air to travel further through said porous' material, and said mask being disposable after use.

5, A disposable surgical mask comprising, a reinforced absorbent pad made of a number of sheets of cellulose absorbent product, said pad having pleats, securing means on said pad for maintaining said pleats, a non-porous and impervious outside layer attached to said pad smaller in size than said pad and covering the central portion thereof, and two flexible strips of material fastened to said pad and of length such that they can be tied around the head of a human, said mask being used by tying said strips of material around a head, said pad absorbing water and contaminants from the passing air, said non-porous sheet directing said air along said pad, and said mask belng disposable after use.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner. RQBER'I E. MORGAN, Examiner. 

1. A DISPOSABLE SURGICAL MASK COMPRISING, A RECTANGULAR FLEXIBLE POROUS ABSORBENT PAD AND SIZE TO COVER THE NOSE AND MOUTH OF A HUMAN BEING, SAID PAD BEING MADE OF FROM 7 TO 10 LOOSELY PILED LAYERS OF NON-WOVEN ABSORBENT CELLULOSE MATERIAL, TWO CELLULOSE MATERIAL LAYERS CONGRUENT WITH AND STITCHED ON FOUR EDGES TO SAID PADS, ONE ON EACH SIDE OF SAID PAD AND REINFORCED WITH THREADS IN MESH CONFIGURATION, SAID PAD AND SAID LAYERS HAVING TWO SPACED AND PARALLEL PLEATS THEREIN WHICH DIVIDE SAID PAD INTO THREE SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL PORTIONS EACH PARALLEL TO THE LONG SIDE OF SAID RECTANGULAR PAD, A NON-POROUS AND IMPERVIOUS POLYETHYLENE FILM ON THE OUTSIDE OF SAID MASK HAVING THE SAME WIDTH AS SAID PAD BUT HAVING A SHORTER LENGTH EITHER THAN SAID PAD OR ITS OWN WIDTH, CENTRALLY POSITIONED SO AS TO COVER ALL EXCEPT THE TWO END PORTIONS OF SAID PAD AND STITCHED ON ITS TWO SHORT OR LENGTH SIDES TO THE MIDDLE PORTIONS OF THE LONG OR LENGTH SIDES OF SAID PAD, TWO FLEXIBLE BINDING TAPES FOLDED LENGTHWISE OVER THE LONG SIDES OF SAID PAD AND STITCHED THERETO, EACH OF SAID TAPES BEING APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES THE LENGTH OF SAID PAD, AND A FLEXIBLE METAL NOSE PIECE, INSERTED THROUGH A SLIT IN THE TOP ONE OF SAID TAPES ON THE BACK SIDE, AND HELD AND LOCATED BETWEEN SAID TAPE AND SAID PAD, SAID MASK BEING USED BY TYING EACH OF SAID TAPES AROUND THE HEAD OF THE WEARER, SUCH THAT SAID NONPOROUS LAYER IS ON THE SIDE AWAY FROM THE FACE, SAID POROUS PAD AND CELLULOSE LAYERS ABSORBING WATER AND CONTAM INANTS FROM THE AIR AS IT PASSES ALONG SAID PAD AND LAYERS, SAID NON-POROUS SHEET SERVING TO CAUSE SAID PASSING AIR TO TRAVEL FURTHER THROUGH SAID POROUS MATERIAL, SAID NOSE PIECE BEING BENT IN THE SHAPE OF THE CONTOUR OF THE NOSE OF THE WEARER AND SERVING TO PREVENT AIR FROM ESCAPING UPWARD AND FOGGING THE WEARER''S GLASSES, AND SAID MASK BEING DISPOSABLE AFTER USE. 